Minister of Health Kemal Memişoğlu spoke at the "Clean Cooking Leaders Round Table Meeting in Africa", which was held within the scope of the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) of the United Nations (UN) Framework Convention on Climate Change held in Antalya, in cooperation with Turkey COP31 Presidency, Tanzania, the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the Clean Cooking Alliance. Stating that Türkiye's relations with Africa are based on mutual solidarity and common development, Memişoğlu stated that they support the creation of solutions to the continent's problems under the leadership of Africans. Emphasizing that friendship with Tanzania has a special place in Turkey-Africa relations, Memişoğlu said that during President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's visit to Tanzania in 2017, he said to African countries, "The Turkish nation's interest in Africa is not based on interests, but on ties of love." He reminded me of his words.
Memişoğlu noted that Erdoğan's visits to 31 African countries are a concrete indicator of the importance Türkiye attaches to the African continent and cooperation with the continent. Stating that protecting health is the common responsibility of countries, Memişoğlu pointed out that traditional cooking methods threaten the health of women and children in particular. Expressing that Türkiye is ready to share its experiences in the field of health, Memişoğlu said: "In Türkiye, under the leadership of our President, we have implemented the understanding of health that protects, develops and produces by saying 'Turkey Century in Health'. With this understanding, we see developing our own technology in the field of health, producing our own products and contributing to the whole world as a responsibility beyond a goal. We are ready to share our knowledge in the field of preventive health." Emphasizing the need for joint action to increase access to clean cooking methods, Memişoğlu said, "Let's combine our knowledge, opportunities and responsibilities around this goal. Let's work together for a future where mothers prepare meals safely, children breathe clean air, and every table meets health." he said.
TANZANIA AIMS TO INCREASE ACCESS TO CLEAN COOKING TO 80 PERCENT
Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan also stated that clean cooking solutions are important for health, environment and social development. Stating that approximately 740 million dollars of commitment has been made available in 22 African countries since the Clean Cooking Summit held in Paris in 2024, and an additional financing of 900 million dollars has been promised, Hassan stated that the total commitment amount reached 3.1 billion dollars. Pointing out that approximately 1 billion people in Africa do not have access to clean cooking methods, Hassan noted that this situation causes the premature death of approximately 850 thousand people every year. Stating that women spend time collecting firewood and are exposed to harmful smoke while cooking, Hassan said that Tanzania aims to increase access to clean cooking solutions to 80 percent with its national strategy covering the 2024-2034 period.
CALL FOR FINANCING AND COOPERATION FOR CLEAN COOKING SOLUTIONS
IEA President Fatih Birol also described lack of access to clean cooking facilities as one of the important inequalities in the world. Stating that 2 billion people around the world lack the opportunity for clean cooking, Birol stated that four-fifths of families in Africa use traditional fuels such as wood and agricultural waste to prepare meals. Stating that these methods cause deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions as well as air pollution, Birol stated that the annual emissions resulting from traditional cooking activities are 1.2 gigatons. Pointing out that IEA has been working in this field for 25 years, Birol noted that approximately $740 million of the financing commitments made at the summit held in Paris in 2024 were transferred to projects in 28 African countries. Explaining that projects for clean cooking systems, fuel infrastructure and stove distribution were supported in Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania and Senegal, Birol stated that the second summit, which aims to increase access to clean cooking, will be held in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, on January 27-28.
